"The best laid plans etc." The weather had been punishing Braemar for most of the winter and we (the royal we) had assumed that by the 1st May things would have improved enough to enable us to complete the challenge as intended................ It was not to be.
We set off from Braemar at 11:00ish on 1 May and made it to Glen Derry to our first scheduled campsite at 039957. The late sun was warm making conditions comfortable for that time of year.
Day 2
Early rise and during my morning stroll I was entertained by a lek of black grouse displaying their white tails and dancing around each other..the fist time I had seen this performance in the wild, a great show but no camera!
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| Ascent to Loch Etchachan |
The original plan was to climb Ben Macdui and, if time allowed,Beinn Mhedhoin then descend to the Shelter Stone...All quite do-able in good conditions. However ,the conditions & snowfall were not good forcing us to use our foul Weather Alternative and stay in the Hutchinson Bothy for the night.Just as we had spread ourselves out not expecting any visitors a lone walker turned up.He had walked over from Carrour Bothy,no mean feat,given the conditions,ahh to be 30 years younger!
Day 3
The weather was still against us with a mixture of rain & snow falling constantly all backed up by a North Easterly wind. Assessing the situation we decided to descend to the Larig & Lui and cross the Avon at the fords, which were still banked with snow on both sides.We then picked up the path on the north bank of the Avon and headed East towards Findouran Lodge arriving there cold and wet and a wee bit frayed at the edges!
The Lodge was a part ruin but afforded us much needed shelter for the night.
Day 4
The weather had improved somewhat and now there was a hint of blue in the sky. The wind had dropped and although there was a light sugar coating of snow on the ground it was a welcome change. As we drew level with the sneck pass we realised that the snow was too deep and trecherous to risk ascending so we carried on along the Avon to the Linn of Avon and the Builg Burn following the Builg Burn down to Loch Builg and our final camp. The rain and wind had altered direction and was now driving into us from the South East ..ah well at least it was slightly warmer! The Builg burn was full and needed us to wade it twice ....enjoyable?! TBC
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| Coir Etchachan burn |
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| On Loch Etchachan |
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| Ptarmagen having a conversation about the weather |
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| The shelter at the Fords of Avon |
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| Findouran Lodge |
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| Looking back along the Avon |
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| Ben Avon & Beinn a Bhuird |
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